Knock-down commode device

ABSTRACT

A knock-down commode device which may be packaged for shipment in a fraction of the dimensions of a conventional commode device, effectuating substantial savings in shipping costs and thus in the cost of the commode to the ultimate user. The commode may be shipped in knock-down form and may pursuant to the invention, be readily and sturdily assembled, without use of any special tools or skills. The commode device comprises a basic unit to receive the commode chamber, which may be packaged therewith and extension members to be connected to the commode unit to form therewith a complete commode of longer leg length. The commode of the invention is rugged and durable and is designed to be long lasting, safe, reliable and trouble free in use.

United States Patent 1 Thomas 1 Aug. 20, 1974 1 KNOCK-DOWN COMMODE DEVICE [75] Inventor: Morton 1. Thomas, Monroe, N.Y.

[52] US. Cl 4/1, 4/116, 4/134, 211/148, 297/134, 297/217 [51] Int. CL... A471; ll/02, A47b 45/00, A470 9/00 [58] Field of Search 4/1, 89, 110, 111, 114, 4/115,1l6,134,l35, 138,141,186, 252 R; 297/134, 130, 217, 420, 440, 445; 211/148;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,428,627 9/1922 Grabfelder 297/419 2,023,514 12/1935 Castanien 4/135 2,585,771 2/1952 l-larris 4/134 2,913,732 11/1959 Jones 4/134 3,341 ,864 9/1967 WiCl'lmannm. 4/110 3,619,820 11/1971 Cain et a1. 4/237 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 8/1960 Switzerland 4/134 Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner.lon W. Henry Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Philip G. Hilbert [5 7 ABSTRACT A knock-down commode device which may be packaged for shipment in a fraction of the dimensions of a conventional commode device, effectuating substantial savings in shipping costs and thus in the cost of the commode to the ultimate user. The commode may be shipped in knock-down form and may pursuant to the invention, be readily and sturdily assembled, without use of any special tools or skills. The commode device comprises a basic unit to receive the commode chamber, which may be packaged therewith and extension members to be connected to the commode unit to form therewith a complete commode of longer leg length. The commode of the invention is rugged and durable and is designed to be long lasting, safe, reliable and trouble free in use.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIEMEU M182 0 1974 BIG:

FIG.2

mimwmz 3.829.908 sum 2!! 2 1 KNOCK-DOWN COMMODE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to commode devices as used in hospitals and homes; such devices are conventionally of substantial dimensions adding, greatly to the cost of the commode to the user due to the high cost of shipping such large objects. Providing a commode of foldable form for shipment might seem the obvious answer to the problem but foldable commodes would not provide the rigidity and stability vital to the safe use of the commode. Commode users are often physically disabled and rely upon the commode structure to provide support for the user in approaching, using and leaving the commode. The present invention overcomes the problem by providing a novel structure of inherent rigidity which may be shipped knockeddown in cartons of small dimensions at a fraction of the cost of shipping conventional, fully dimensioned commodes; novel means are further provided in the commode of this invention for assembly thereof to adjust the length of the legs of the commode to conform to the specific requirements of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a commode structure of the invention, shown in assembled form,

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view thereof,

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view thereof,

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the base unit of the commode device of the invention shown in knocked down form for shipment,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof, shown packaged in a carton for shipment, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partly fragmentary, elevational view, taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

In accordance with a preferred mode, the invention comprises a base unit 11 having a forwardly opening frame 12 comprising side members 13, 14 and a rear member 15, means for supporting the commode chamber 16 in the commode base unit, and means to enable connection of leg extension members 17-20 to the base unit 11. The commode base unit above described may be packaged, as shown in FIG. 4 and 5 in a carton 40 having dimensions substantially smaller (and thus far less costly to ship) than is required for shipping the much larger conventional commode devices. Assembly of the commode to long length may be achieved, pursuant to the invention, without the use of any special tools, by connection of extension leg members 17-20 to the short leg portions 21-24 of the base unit to form therewith precisely the length desired by the user. Such means may comprise provision of a plurality of apertured portions 25 in the leg portions of the base unit 11, to be selectively engaged by latch means such as (FIG. 6) pins 26 spring urged as at 27 on the extension leg members, to selectively engage the desired particular one of the series of apertures 25 on the commode base unit leg members to provide the selected overall desired length for the leg members of the commode (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 6 the extension leg members 17-20 and the short leg portions 21-24 of the base unit may be of complementary tubular or other form at the free ends thereof for interconnected slidable telescopic or other relative engagement, and latched together at the selected position desired. The rear member 15 of the base unit may (FIG. 1) be a U-shaped bar secured to and having leg members 45, 45' which may be connected to the frame side members l3, 14 by any suitable means to hold the side members in parallel spaced relation. Rods 28, 29 may be positioned intermediate members 13, 14 and connected thereto by any suitable means to further maintain them in said desired spaced parallel relation and a wire frame grid 32 may be secured to said rods to form a support for the chamber 16.

The base unit 11 is (FIGS. 4 and 5) a fraction of the dimensions of the commode (FIG. 1) assembled for use pursuant to the invention and is thus readily knockeddown for shipment with the commode seat 33, which may be hingedly or otherwise connected to the bar 28 (FIG. 1) and the cover 36, closed and placed in a holder 37 (FIG. 4) forming, with the other base unit parts, a very compact, small-dimensioned base unit package with which (FIG. 5) the extension leg members 17-19 may be packaged in the small carton 40 for shipment.

While the present invention has been particularly described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be evident, in view of the present disclosure, that numerous variations of the invention may be made, within the inventive concept and disclosures herein. Accordingly, the invention should be broadly construed within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knock-down device for supporting a commode, said device comprising a pair of inverted U shaped side frame portions, each side frame portion comprising a pair of depending, short leg receiving portions and a portion interconnecting said leg receiving portions; and a back portion interconnecting said side frame portions and maintaining said side frame portions in parallel relation, an elongated member interconnecting the forwardly disposed leg receiving portions opposite said back portion and a second elongated member interconnecting the rearwardly disposed leg receiving portions adjacent said back portion, means extending between said elongated members for supporting said commode; extension leg members and means for separably coupling said leg members to said leg receiving portions; whereby said leg members may be separated from said leg receiving portions to allow packaging of said device in a carton having one minimal dimension measured by the length of said short leg receiving portions.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the opposite end portions of said elongated members are located adjacent the lower ends of said leg receiving portions.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said back portion comprises a U shaped member having parallel leg portions, and-means connecting said leg portions to the portions interconnecting the leg receiving portions of said side frame portions.

4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said leg members and said leg receiving portions includes means telescopically and adjustably related to each other, and coating latch means on said leg members and said leg receiving portions for retaining said leg members and leg receiving portions in adjusted relation to each other. 

1. A knock-down device for supporting a commode, said device comprising a pair of inverted U shaped side frame portions, each side frame portion comprising a pair of depending, short leg receiving portions and a portion interconnecting said leg receiving portions; and a back portion interconnecting said side frame portions and maintaining said side frame portions in parallel relation, an elongated member interconnecting the forwardly disposed leg receiving portions opposite said back portion and a second elongated member interconnecting the rearwardly disposed leg receiving portions adjacent said back portion, means extending between said elongated members for supporting said commode; extension leg members and means for separably coupling said leg members to said leg receiving portions; whereby said leg members may be separated from said leg receiving portions to allow packaging of said device in a carton having one minimal dimension measured by the length of said short leg receiving portions.
 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the opposite end portions of said elongated members are located adjacent the lower ends of said leg receiving portions.
 3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said back portion comprises a U shaped member having parallel leg portions, and means connecting said leg portions to the portions interconnecting the leg receiving portions of said side frame portions.
 4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said leg members and said leg receiving portions includes means telescopically and adjustably related to each other, and coating latch means on said leg members and said leg receiving portions for retaining said leg members and leg receiving portions in adjusted relation to each other. 